Michelin Reveals 2017 Stars for Tokyo

In case you needed another reason to go to Tokyo, Japan’s capital has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world — and it’s not even close.

The restaurant guidebook purveyor just unveiled its 2017 guides for Japan, and as the Wall Street Journal notes, Tokyo has a whopping 227 establishments with one or more stars. Meanwhile, Osaka, Japan’s second largest city, has 96 restaurants with stars. Compare that to the European gastronomic capital of Paris, which ranks third with 92 Michelin-starred restaurants.

This is the tenth edition of the Michelin Tokyo guide, and the Japan Times points out four restaurants have maintained the coveted three-star rating for the duration. They include famed sushi destination Sukiyabashi Jiro (subject of the hit documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi) and legendary French chef Joel Robuchon’s eponymous fine-dining restaurant.

All in all, the 2017 Tokyo guide includes 12 restaurants with three stars; meanwhile, there are 54 two-star restaurants, and 161 with a single star each. This year’s guide adds 66 new restaurants overall.

Japan is in the midst of a major tourism boom, and while all those fine-dining destinations certainly help attract foreign tourists, not all Michelin-recognized restaurants are super-pricey. Last year, the Michelin Tokyo guide recognized a ramen restaurant for the first time: Tsuta, where the WSJ says a bowl costs around $9. This year it also gave a second ramen spot, Nakiryu, its first star.

The print edition of the guide comes out Friday. In the meantime, scope out the full list of stars for Tokyo below. (The stars for Kyoto and Osaka are available at the guide’s official website and can be accessed for free through Thursday.)

• Tokyo Savors Title of City With Most Michelin-Star Restaurants [WSJ]
• Three-Star Restaurants Extend Streak in New Michelin Tokyo Guide [Japan Times]
• Michelin Guide Japan [Official]
• Michelin Announces 2016 Stars for Tokyo [E]